{"podcast":{"title":"Why Bass? with Donivan Blair","slug":"why-bass-with-donivan-blair-7722653","podcast_index_feed_id":7722653,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/whybass/","website_url":"https://www.ruinousmedia.com/whybass","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/215f39ec-db71-4187-a40a-ca46747455ac/Ruinous-WhyBass2.png","author":"Donivan Blair","episode_count":12,"summary":"‘Why Bass?” Is a podcast that shifts the focus from a bass players history and CV to that age old question - why would anyone want to play the bass guitar? Donivan Blair asks this question with bassist’s of all styles and ranges on each episode and allows the guest to tell the audience in their own words who inspired them, why they chose the instrument and their gear of choice. ‘Why Bass?’ Is hosted by Donivan Blair who does not understand why anyone needs more than four strings and has been obsessed with the bass guitar since 1985. He started the punk band Hagfish with brother Zach in 1991, left their hometown of Sherman, TX and never looked back. Touring the world with Only Crime and Armstrong led him to joining the Toadies in 2008. Donivan knows why he plays the bass but is curious to find out why others have decided to follow this particular yellow brick road.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-23T16:19:54.685738+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/why-bass-with-donivan-blair-7722653"},"episode":{"title":"Jay Bentley-Bad Religion","slug":"jay-bentley-bad-religion","published_at":"2026-04-16T07:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/why-bass-with-donivan-blair-7722653/jay-bentley-bad-religion","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/why-bass-with-donivan-blair-7722653","url":"https://www.ruinousmedia.com/whybass","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/bc23f714-58b8-42c2-89c4-67ad4cc4b93c.mp3","summary":"Jay Bentley is the bass player and a founding member of Bad Religion. Jay shares his journey from a young guitar player to a prominent bassist in the punk rock scene. He discusses his musical influences, the evolution of his playing style, and the dynamics of being in a band. Bentley reflects on the challenges of live performances, the impact of technology on music, and the creative process behind songwriting. He emphasizes the importance of individuality in music and the learning experiences that shaped his career. Donivan and Jay discuss the evolution of their musical gear, the pursuit of the perfect tone, and the dynamics of live performance. They talk bass technique, the fluidity of musical expression, and the impact of personnel changes within bands. Jay shares his challenges and the realities of touring, particularly focusing on equipment issues and the importance of sound management. He shares insights on his personal gear preferences, the dynamics of working within a band, and the critical role of sound engineers. #jaybentley #badreligion #mxr #jimdunlop #schecterguitars Bad Religion Epitaph Records Our partners help make this show happen! Please give them a visit. Unleash the full force of your guitar and bass set up with our friends at Jim Dunlop. Jim Dunlop offers the absolute BEST in pedals, effects, picks, and strings and more. Go to Jim Dunlop For 50 years, Schecter Guitars has pushed the limits of craftsmanship, innovation, and tone—building instruments trusted by players who demand more from their sound. This milestone celebrates a legacy forged on stages and in studios worldwide, while looking boldly ahead to the next era of performance-driven design. Have your mind blown here. Schecter Guitars Bad Religion Quiet Riot The Clash Circle Jerks Wasted Yout…","meta_description":"Jay Bentley is the bass player and a founding member of Bad Religion. Jay shares his journey from a young guitar player to a prominent bassist in the punk…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":4192,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/why-bass-with-donivan-blair-7722653/episodes/jay-bentley-bad-religion/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/why-bass-with-donivan-blair-7722653/jay-bentley-bad-religion.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}